Inclined conveyer.



G. JOHN.

|NCL|NED CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I0. I9l 3.

Patented Dec. 1915.

QHEETSHEET x.

WITNESSES G. JOHN.

INCLINED coNvEYER.

APPLICATION ElLED NOV. l0, 1913.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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GRIFFITH JOI-IN, YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A. CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ille-c. 7, I915.

Application filed November 10, 1913. Serial No. 800,02?.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, GRIFFITH JOHN, a'- subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in Yonkers, in the county of `West chester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Inclined Conveyers, of which the following is a specification.

My vinvention relates to an improved arrangement of power units for driving moving stairways commonly called escalators, or in fact any`type of inclined conveyer for transporting passengers or packages, and its application is desirable and advantageous particularly where a plurality of conveyers 4are arranged for operation between two floors or levels and are positioned in close proximity to each other, and more particularly in a case where three or more conveyers are used.

Another feature of my invention is to associate with the power units, means whereby all the escalators can be connected to bev drivensimultaneously, to effect transportation in vboth directions during a period of heavy trafic, androne or more of the escalators direct connected during a period of light trallic, or during the latter period, one of the desired escalators can be disconnected, and the remaining ones connected in a manner whereby the descending escalator will assist the ascending escalator in driving its load, thereby minimizing the consumptionof the power-units.

@ther objects of my' invention will appear more fully hereinafter, the novel combinations of elements being set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a part sectional plan view showing three escalators positioned in close proximity to each other, and with the application of my improved arrangement of power units thereto; Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the system of gearing employed in Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view showing the relativeposition of the powerfunits with the steps or platform; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional elevation view of`Fig. 1, taken on the section-line A, A; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 'are plan views. showing additionalv arrangements -of the power units in modified form.

,Abrief description only will be given reshown and described in a patent granted to' C. D. Seeberger, 1912.

Ay plurality of escalators A, B and C, are supported in asuitable manner in a cylindrical tube or tunnel D, and are adapted to transport passengers, in either an ascending or descending direction between floors or levels 1 and 2. Each escalator comprises a plurality of steps 3, connected by links in a marmer to form an endless conveyer or escalator. Each step is provided with an aXle bar 5 carrying at each end a yoke 6, provided with bearings for the wheels 7, which coperate withtracks 8 and 9; It has been found generally, that in installations of this kind, z'. e., through a tube or tunnel, the amount of space available is limited, which unfavorable condition necessitates the usage of a tube of extremely small diameter which necessitates the positioning of the escalators in close -proximity to each other, and makes it practically impossible to provide an independent powerunit for each escalator, and to this end I purpose to use only two independent electrical power units F and Gr for driving the three escalators. The power units are similar in details of construction and arrangement of parts, a description of one therefore suiicing for both.

No. 1,025,316, dated -May 7,

Each power unit is suitably securedto a bedplate Y, said units being located preferably in back of the two outside escalators A and C, whichv are somewhat shorter than the middle escalator, which feature prevents interference of passenger traic between the three escalators.' .Each unit comprises an electric motor M (which may be either direct or alternating current) adapted to drive a shaft l0, through a speed reduction gearing comprising a double worm and gear connection (or tandem gearing) which is contained in a casing E. An electro-magnetic` brake apparatus S, which may be of any well known type, is provided for each unit. Shafts II, I and J, associated with escalators A, B and C, respectively, are suitably journaled in bearings 11, see Fig. 2. Sprocket wheels 12, 13 and 14 are fixed to shafts H, I and J, respectively, and mesh and 10, respectively, and the gear 17 mounted freely on the shaft I, a driving ing direction, or can be'idle.

with the links on the upper run of their respective escalators.

The shaft H is driven by the power unit G, the driving connection therebetween being effected by means of bevel gears 15, 16. The gears 15 and 1G are fixed to the shafts H and 10, respectively, and the gear 17 is mounted freely on the shaft I, a driving connection for the latter being effected by means of a manually operated clutch mechanism K, carried on the shaft I, the clutch mechanism as shown in the drawing being out of engagement, which position thereof permits free rotation of the gea-r 17, and when thrown in effects a driving connection for said shaft.

lVith the clutch mechanism K in engagement, the shafts I and J are both driven by the power mechanism F, the driving connection therebetween being effected by means of bevel gears 15', 1G and 17. The gears 15' and 16 are fixed to the shafts 1s connection for the latter being effected by means of a manually operated clutch mechanism K', carried on the shaft I, the clutch mechanism as shown in the drawing being out of engagement, which position thereof permits free rotation of the gear 17', and when said clutch is thrown in, a driving connection is effected for the shaft I. With this arrangement of driving connections and the provision of clutch mechanism as herein just described, a selective operation of the three escalators relatively to each other, may be had, the various relative operations effected by manipulation of the clutch mechanisms being as follows. Assume the clutch to be in the position shown, or outlof engagement, by throwing clutch K in, escalator A can be operated in an ascending or descending direction as desired, escalator B will be operated in an opposite direction thereto, and escalator C can be operated in either an ascending or descend- By moving clutch K out of engagement and throwing in clutch K', escalator C, can be operated in an ascending or descending direction as desired, escalator B will be operated in an opposite direction thereto, and escalator A can be operated in either an ascending or descending direction, or can be idle. By moving clutch K out of engagement, escalaters A and C can be run in either direction desired, escalator B remaining idle.

By locating the power units in back of the escalators A and C, 'and by effecting the driving connectiontherefrom to the shafts H, I and J, in the manner herein set forth, permits the usage of a tube of comparatively sm'all diameter, whereby the escalators can be positioned in close proximity to each other, and only a slight increase in the diameter thereof in necessitated in order to provide space for the installation of the power units, which features materially lessen the cost of construction, as

compared with the cost of constructing a fates the spacing of the escalators farther 30 apart, and consequently a tube somewhat larger in diameter than the one heretofore described and shown in Fig. 1. With this arrangement the shaft Il is driven direct from the worm gear, as is the spur gear g5 1S which is fixed on said shaft, said gear meshing with a spur gear 19, which is mounted freely on the shaft I, a driving connection for`the latter being effected by throwing the clutch K in, said clutch being carried by said shaft. The shaft J is likewise driven from the worm gear, as is the spur gear 1S', which is fixed on said shaft, said gear meshing with a spur gear 19',

which is mounted freely on the shaft I, a

driving connection for the latter being effected by throwing the clutch K in.

In the modified arrangement shown in Fig. 6, the power units are located between the escalators as in Fig. 5. rangement the shafts H and J are driven through their associated worm and gear connection, 'and through the intermediation of a spur gear connection 20 and 21, respectively. The shaft I is driven by the power unit G through the latters worm and gear connection, and through the intermediation of the spur gears 22 and 23, the latter being mounted freely on the shaft I, and the driving connection therefor being effected by the clutch K, a similar connection between the power units F and the shaft I being effected by throwing in clutch K.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the

power units are located outside of escalators A and C, whereby all the escalators can be positioned in closer proximity to each other than in the two modified arrangements just described. This arrangement permits the use of a tube of smaller diameter than that of the other modified arrangement, but requiring a larger diameter of the tube at the point of installation of the power units. With this arrangement, each power unit comprises two motors, M and M', and an 125 electromagnetic brake apparatusS and S' for each motor. The two motors are arranged to be connected at the opposite ends of their respective worm shafts, only one With this ar- 100 motor being coupled for operation at a time.

rIhe two motors are provided simply, as a matter of convenience, so that in case of a break down of either motor, it can be readily disconnected and the other coupled up, which is donethrou'gh the medium of the brake couplings.

The shaft H is driven by the power unit G, directly through the worm and gear connection thereof, and shaft I is driven by said unit through the spur gears 24C and 25, when the clutch K is thrown in, the gear 24 being mounted freely on the shaft H. The shaft .I is driven by the power through the worm and gear connection thereof, and shaft I is driven by said.unit through the spur gears 24 and 25, when the clutch K is thrown in, the 'gear 24 being mounted freely on the shaft J, vit being understood of course that for this operation the clutch K is thrown out.

By manipulation-of the clutch mechanism K and K associated Vwith the modified arrangements shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the same relative operation between the escalators A, B and described. y,

Hand rails 26 associated with each escalator, are adapted 'to travel at substantially the same rate of speed as its associated escalator, said hand rails being driven by suitable sprocket wheels, through the medium of proper sprocket and chain connections, the same not being 1shown as theyform no part of the present invention, andA being fully shown and described in the patent -heretofore cited.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make various other modifications in the arrangement ofpparts, and various other types of power units might be used, without spirit and scope of my invention, I wish therefore not to be limited to the particular arrangement of parts and` type of apparatus herein shown and described.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is l. The combination of an escalator, a motor for operating the escalator, an additional escalator arranged in parallel with `the first named escalator, means` for eifecting the operation of the additional escalator from the said motor in an opposite direction to the first named escalator, and a clutch operable lto connect and disconnect at will the two escalators and the motor.

2. The combination of traveling conveyers, separate means for driving each of the conveyers, an .additional conveyer, and

means forestablishing a driving connection between elther of thesaid means and the,

additional conveyer. V

3. The combination of traveling conveyers, separate means for driving each of the conveyers, an additional conveyer, and

unit F, directly C can be effected as heretofore y i clutch mechanism for establishing a driving connection between either of the said means, and the additional conveyer.

al. rIhe combination of operatively reversible conveyers, independent driving means for operating the conveyers in a pre-determined direction of travel, an additional conveyer, and means for driving the sa'id additional conveyer from either of said driving means in either direction at will.

5. rIhe combination of operatively reversible traveling conveyers, separate power units for operating each conveyer in a predetermined direction of travel, an additional conveyer, and means for driving the additional conveyer from either of the said power units.

6. The combination of operatively reversible conveyers arranged in parallel, separate power units for driving each of the conveyers, an additional reversible conveyer arranged in parallel with the .rst named conveyers, and means for effecting the operation of the additional conveyer from the said lpower units.

7. The combination of operatively reversible conveyers arranged in parallel, separate power units for driving each of the conveyers in a pre-determined direction of. travel, an additional cdnveyer arranged in parallel with the' firstiiamed conveyers, and means for effecting the operation of the additional conveyer from either of the said power units. -f

8. The combination of operatively reversible conveyers arranged in parallel, separate power units for driving each of the conveyers, an additional conveyer arranged in parallel with the first named conveyers and adapted to be singly connected with any one of the said power units.

9. -In combination, a reversible escalator, driving mechanism therefor comprising a motor and gearing, an additional escalator, and clutch mechanism for connecting and ,disconnecting the additional escalator for operation from said motor and gearing.

lO. In combination, a reversible escalator, driving mechanism therefor comprising, electrically operated speed reduction gearing, and a driving connection between the speed reduction gearing and the escalator, an additional escalator, and means for connecting and disconnecting the said additional conveyer with the said driving connection.

l1. The combination of an escalator, driving mechanism therefor comprising reduction gearing, a motor for actuating the same, a driving connection between the reduction gearing and the escalator, an additional escalator, and means for connecting and disconnecting the said additional escalator-with vthe said driving connection.A

12. In combination, three reversible escalators, separate power units for driving two of the escalators, each unit comprising electrically operated speed reduction gearing, a driving connection between the reduction gearing and its associated escalator, and means for eiecting the operation of the third escalator from either of the said power units.

13. In combination, three reversible escalators arranged in parallel and connecting two ioors or levels, separate power units for driving two of thefescalators, each comprising a motor and gearing, and means for connecting and disconnecting the third escalator with. either set of gearing.

14. In combination, three reversible escalators arranged in parallel and connecting two 'loors or levels, separate power units for driving two of them, each unit comprising an electric motor, a worm and gear connection, and a driving connection between the worm and gear and the escalator associated therewith, and clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the third escalator for operation from either of the two drivingconnections.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

` GRIFFITH JOHN.

yI'lfitnesses:

JAMES G. BETHELL, WALTER C. STRANG. 

